Joslin Sprayground

Providence, Rhode Island

This exciting new spray park is located in Joslin Park behind the William D’Abate Elementary School in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence. Gardner + Gerrish designed an alternate form of spray park that allows for multi seasonal use for the community. The dynamic facility replaced an aging and debilitated pool complex. Exposing urban children to adventure play was the driving force in the conceptual design. A native boulder strewn ‘stream’ for climbing and negotiating was part of the spray pad development integrated with a playground design with slides, “dock” and “bridge” over the spray pads outlet.

All spray pad water drains and is captured into a green infrastructure bio-retention area, thus providing 100% on-site infiltration.

Phase II includes planting the bio-retention basin, in addition to native trees and others plantings and installing shade sails for cooling and visual interest.